National Consultancy - Special Advisor, Partnership (part-time), PPD Tokyo, Japan, 6 months

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

Background/ Purpose of Assignment

UNICEF Tokyo, as part of the Public Partnerships Division (PPD), works to strengthen UNICEF’s position as a trusted partner for realizing children’s rights among the Government of Japan and other public sector partners. The office engages in evidence-based policy advocacy and resource mobilization to support implementing UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the Agenda 2030/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To make sure that UNICEF is a partner of choice for the Government of Japan, e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in realizing children’s rights both in humanitarian and development contexts, UNICEF Tokyo engages in developing, mobilizing and managing public partnerships with various stakeholders in Japan, in collaboration with HQs/ROs/COs as well as Japan Committee for UNICEF.

Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNICEF Tokyo, in the Public Partnerships Division, the Special Advisor will help UNICEF Tokyo Office strengthen relationships primarily with parliamentary partners in Japan (Parliamentary League for UNICEF -PLU) and other key public stakeholders in 2023 and beyond.

The Special Advisor will also help the office collect intelligence and prepare an engagement strategy with clarity on outcomes, activities, as well as lead on the organisation of specific activities in close coordination with the PPD Tokyo Partnership Specialist and Japan Committee for UNICEF.

The engagement strategy will have a specific focus on supporting UNICEF’s engagement especially with Parliamentarians as well as follow and update on the revision of the Japan’s ODA charter in early 2023, to help the office identify shared priorities and explore collaboration opportunities with Japan.

Scope of Work:

Task 1: In close collaboration with Senior Advisor (on fundraising) and Public Partnership Specialist (on advocacy & communication), draft a strategy paper which informs the office’s engagement plans with the Parliamentary League for UNICEF (PLU) and Academia in particular in 2023 and beyond.

This document should also include a mapping of areas of interest of each of the PLU Parliamentarians, as well as a dedicated chapter on a growth approach to PLU aimed at maximizing this engagement and identifying avenues to grow the relation over time.

Deliverable: A strategy paper that include (1) landscape/stakeholder analysis; (2) advocacy strategy (key messages); (3) proposed activities & roadmap, and any other relevant information and (4) mapping of specific areas of interest for each PLU Board member by March 31, 2023 (5) plan to engage Parliamentarians in other regions on topics that are relevant to both PLU and UNICEF.

Task 2: In close collaboration with the Public Partnership Specialist (on advocacy & communication) to lead on the organization of one field visit in 2023 as well identify one additional activity to organize in 2023 in Tokyo with PLU based on their interest.

Deliverable: Based on the findings of the above strategy paper, propose (1) potential country to visit; (2) country/region to visit; (3) draft agenda/itinerary; and provide any other logistic support for the PLU field visits in close coordination with the Public Partnership Specialist (on advocacy & communication) and the Regional & Country Office colleagues by July 31, 2023.

Task 3: Provide the Director of Tokyo’s Office with additional intelligence on the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023 as well as any other relevant political development.

Deliverable: Written intelligence provided on a relevant basis.

*Task 4*****: Collect intelligence and prepare briefs on the new Japan’s ODA charter, to inform the office of the potential implication that the revision would have on the overall development cooperation of the government of Japan and its impact on UNICEF’s activities.

Deliverable: Draft policy briefs that include (1) current status of Japan’s ODA discuss; (2) Key changes in the revised ODA Charter, in particular those relevant for UNICEF; (3) advocacy strategy with identification of UNICEF’s entry points to influence the child focus of Japan’s new ODA Charter by August 4, 2023.

Task 5: Any other tasks that helps the office enhance its network and relationship with key holders in Japan in addition to specific advice to the Director, UNICEF Tokyo as needed (ongoing by August 2023).

Contract Duration: 6 months (part-time)

Starting Date: 6 February 2023

Reporting to: Director, UNICEF Tokyo Office

The selected consultant is expected to work in Japan, either teleworking or at UNICEF Tokyo office, during the assignment period. The consultant might need to be physically present if they take place in the form of face-to-face events or meetings. Details related to working modality and duration are negotiable.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Political Science, International Relations, International Development, or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: diplomacy, parliamentary engagement, public affairs, resource mobilization, external relations, partnership or other relevant area.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working in public sector in Japan.
• Knowledge of political and governmental budgetary processes is required.
• Excellent communications skills, both in Japanese and English is required (verbal and written).
• Familiarity with international development, multilateral cooperation and UN system is an asset.
• Seeks and quickly absorbs new information and techniques.
• Sets high levels of quality and productivity for self.
• Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and drive for results.

The consultant must comply with UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

UNICEF's_Competency_Framework.pdf

Remarks:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to attach:

• Cover letter in English
• CV both in English and Japanese
• Financial quote of all-inclusive fees (daily rate) for the consultancy in Japanese yen

Please make sure to indicate your availability (the date you can start & your working modality) and the indicative all-inclusive fees for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR. Applications submitted without a financial quote will not be considered.

Applications must be received by 21 December 2022 through this online platform.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.